Onkyo SC5508 Surround processor [No Price Talk] - Page 78

Thanks SoM - I forgot to add an important point which concerns the integration of the surround and main channels. I am about to edit my original report to make that point.


Indeed.

I'll be very interested in that report! Of course, we'll want xposts to the Pro thread.[/quote]

Natch

Jeff - please read the extended 'Edit' at the end of my report - it's all about mid and treble which is where I noticed the most difference with the 5509.

Yep, and I think you have another level up in store with a Pro calibration.

woot!!!

fun

It will be when I eventually get the Pro kit - I have to use the Ethernet port, which usually, for me, spells disaster.

Disaster in what way? I used the ethernet port to update the firmware and it went smoothly. Quite a difference from the UMC-1 which my computer wouldn't recognize.

Hi Keith,

That's odd. I've done all of my firmware updates via ethernet, plus all of the inet radio functions, and Netflix streaming via Roku without ever experiencing any problems.

A pro installer friend claims that many of the problems that he's encountered are attributed to substandard quality modems, routers, switches, and the like.

Just some food for thought.

Cheers,
SB

Keith,

You mentioned having to wait for 5509 firmware update to enable pro capability. Do you, or anyone else, know if the 5508 (which I have) is ready to go with pro or is it needing fw also?

I would really like to give pro a go () but I'm hesitating with the cost. If I lived where there were more people interested, I would propose a "pro club" where several people could share the cost of the hardware and each buy a license for their unit.

No problem running Audyssey Pro with the 5508.

Initially I had a problem where the Pro did not connect. Switched to dynamic IP on the 5508, as Luke suggested, and it has worked ever since.

Maybe disaster is too strong - I mean that I often have problems whenever networking is involved, especially if Windows is the OS. I am hoping I don't encounter these problems when I get the Pro kit. If I do, I know there are plenty of people here who understand the issues and who will generously give their time to help me...

I should start collecting these tips I think...

I am quite excited to get Pro now, in January when the FW becomes available for the 5509.

The problem is me not the equipment, I think, SB. If networking is involved, I usually go into panic or WTF mode!

Drowning in packets...

I know where to look for the lifeline though

Keith, has it been established that the 5507 and 5509 are identical WRT internal audio circuitry?

I don't know, Jeff. There are a few operational and feature differences, an extra DSP mode or two, XT32 of course, possibly different DACs etc - whether that will warrant different circuitry I don't know. Why do you ask?

Keith,

If they are the same, then all of the improvements you are hearing can be attributed to XT 32.

Jeff

I doubt they are identical but you can easily establish whether the non-Audyssey aspect sounds the same by including an A/B of the units with Audyssey set to Off and all other settings identical.

Ah yes, I see where you are coming from now (there ought to be an acronym for that - ISWYACF now LOL). I suspect you are right - the differences between the two are minor in terms of spec. There is the (small) possibility that the theoretical superiority of separating the processor side from the power amp side might make an audible difference - but I doubt it TBH. If it does it will be *very* subtle and some of the differences I am hearing are subtle, but not *that* subtle IYKWIM. The filter resolution for the satellites with XT is, IIRC, 16. With XT32 it's 512 - that is a huge difference and it must have some audible benefits or why bother? So that is me taking 120 words to say "I agree, Jeff".

I think that the difference that would be heard between the pre-pro and the receiver is having a more powerful amp when using a pre-pro depending on the sensitivity of the speaker's of course. Since you are using the same amps the difference would be slight if any at all except for the effects of XT32. As someone with inefficient speakers I noticed such a difference when I went from my Yamaha's amps to the Emos.

That wouldn't apply to me though, as you say, because I am using the same amps now as I was when I had the 5007 (use as a pre-pro). Any differences I am hearing must be differences between the 5007 pre-pro section and the 5509. I suspect Jeff is right - it's XT32 vs XT for the satellites.


Yes, we are in agreement. For speakers of below average efficiency, external power makes a huge difference.

Attachment 229483

Hi guys, just a Quick question, should I tilt the speaker forward/down,aiming the MLP?
:-)

yes

Thx, ;-)

yw

xt32 might not improve what you hear from a sat perspective I would say local content from dvd/rbrd and stored media may see the benefit more and more..

Looking good...

Well, it's a matter of taste/gender, but we, men, likes it, don't we Keith .... :-)
Hope I'll have the time tomorrow to rerun Audyssey xt32, but first I need to put on my running shoes, and breathe some fresh air;-)
Have a nice evening